Summer Arts Preview: We know what you'll do this summer

The contention that there's nothing to do in El Paso doesn't hold much water -- er, sand -- if you think about it.

There's always plenty to do around here, even in the summer, when things typically lighten up.

We don't get many of the major concert tours, partly because we don't have a good-size amphitheater to host them. But we have a growing number of festivals: newbies like the Neon Desert Music Festival (which returns May 26) and the Sun City Music Festival (Sept. 1-2); the now 5-year-old Plaza Classic Film Festival (Aug. 2-12); and old standbys, such as the 27th annual KLAQ Balloonfest (May 26-28).

They highlight a summer's worth of events, many of them free: the popular Music Under the Stars series at the Chamizal National Memorial, the 10th annual Alfresco! Fridays series, and an increasing number of free concerts at Speaking Rock Entertainment Center and its new Socorro Entertainment Center.

They join old favorites, such as the 35th annual edition of the historical musical "Viva! El Paso" and new entries, such as the El Paso Museum of Art's "Inquisitive Eyes," which showcases world-class art by local artists from 1960 to the present.

While we don't get many of the major tours, there will be a few must-see shows, including funnyman (and local favorite) George Lopez, sax man (and another local favorite) Dave Koz, bluegrass queen Alison Krauss, and a dream double bill of Dream Theater and King Crimson offshoot Crimson ProjeKct.

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Nothing to do?

May

"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged" -- Ever wanted to see all 37 Shakespeare plays in less than two hours? OK, you probably haven't. But you might with this El Paso Playhouse production, which director Vanessa Keyser describes as "fast, silly and downright hilarious." It opens Friday and runs weekends through June 16 at the theater, 2501 Montana. Tickets cost $10, $8 for seniors, $7 for students and military. 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.

Puddle of Mudd -- The Memorial Day Weekend gets off to a rockin' start at 8 p.m. Friday when singer Wes Scanlin leads the latest incarnation of his hard rock band, currently promoting its "Re:(disc)overed" covers album, into the new Socorro Entertainment Center, 11200 Santos Sanchez. It's free and for ages 18 and older only. 860-7777, speakingrockentertainment.com.

KLAQ Balloonfest -- The 27th annual edition of the rock station's hot air balloon bash takes off with nearly 30 balloons at sunrise Saturday through May 28 at Santa Teresa Country Club. Bands -- including Buckcherry and Dead Sara on Saturday, P.O.D. on May 27 and Hellyeah on May 28 -- perform nearby at Wet-n-Wild Waterworld in Anthony. Tickets cost $15 in advance, $30 at the gate and $39.99 for a festival pass, which includes rides. klaq.com.

Neon Desert Music Festival -- Last year's inaugural mix of indie, Latin and electronic music on four stages was a hit, drawing more than 10,000 people Downtown. More than 15,000 people are expected for NDMF 2.0, which starts at 11:30 a.m. May 26 and features more than 30 acts (including a Moby DJ set, reunited El Paso rockers Sparta, and Mexico's Le Butcherettes, featuring former El Pasoan Omar Rodriguez Lopez on bass) on five stages in the Cleveland Square Park and San Jacinto Plaza areas. Tickets cost $55, $65 day of festival and $150 for a VIP pass. neondesertmusicfestival.com.

Rusko -- Dubstep comer Rusko, touting new album "Songs," brings his spring tour through town at 9 p.m. Saturday at Buchanan's Event Center, 11540 Pellicano, the place for electronic dance music in town. Tickets cost $20. facebook.com/smgeventsofficial.

"Magnitud Mexicana: 20th Century Mexican Masterworks" -- The three exhibits feature 91 works by 51 artists and conclude their El Paso Museum of Art run on May 27. The larger "Magnitud Mexicana: Visions of Art" includes paintings by Rufino Tamayo and others. It shares the newly renamed Hunt Family Gallery with "Dibujos Divinos: 20th Century Drawings from the Museo Nacional de Art-MUNAL, Mexico City," featuring drawings by David Alfaro Siqueiros, Diego Rivera and others. Museum staff handpicked the works in the adjoining "Diego Rivera and the Cubist Vision from the Museo de Arte Carrillo Gil, Mexico City." Admission is $10, $5 for members, free for children. Museum hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursdays; and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. 532-1307, elpasoartmuseum.org.

Afrojack -- One of the hits of last year's first Sun City Music Festival, the popular DJ and producer returns to close out Memorial Day Weekend on an electronic note at 9 p.m. May 28 at Buchanan's. $36. facebook.com/smgeventsofficial.

June

"Romancing El Paso" -- Artist Maritza Jauregui paints a love letter to her adopted hometown with familiar images of folklorico dancers, Luís Jiménez's "Los Lagartos" sculpture and more in this exhibit running June 1-27 at the Community Exhibition Space in City Hall. A reception is 4-6 p.m. June 7. The gallery is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays. maritzajauregui.com.

Alfresco! Fridays -- Now in its 10th year, this free outdoor music series continues with the flamenco music of Sangre Gitana at 6 p.m. June 1 in the Arts Festival Plaza. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com.

Stryper -- The veteran rockers, a sort of Christian version of an '80s hair band, give a free show at 8 p.m. June 2 in the Spirit Garden at Speaking Rock Entertainment Center, 122 Old S. Pueblo. Ratt singer Stephen Pearcy opens. 860-7777, speakingrockentertainment.com.

Dancing in the City -- The third annual edition of this music and dance series returns to Downtown's Arts Festival Plaza this summer for eight shows, its most ever. It opens June 2 with Albuquerque salsa band Calle 66, with a dance lesson at 7 p.m. and music at 8. Admission is $6 for individuals, $10 for couples. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Kellie Pickler -- The country singer and former "American Idol" hopeful headlines the Mescaleros' Inn of the Mountain Gods concert venue at 8 p.m. June 4. Ticket prices range from $25 to $75. 800-545-9011, innofthemountaingods.com.

Snoop Dogg -- The rapper and mogul's name is always out there, whether he's sharing a stage with mentor Dr. Dre (and a Tupac hologram) last month at Coachella or getting busted for pot at a Sierra Blanca Border Patrol checkpoint after he performed at Club 101 last year. The man with the smoothest flow in hip-hop returns at 8 p.m. June 6 at Tricky Falls, 209 S. El Paso. $47.50 ($350 VIP). 351-9938, trickyfalls.com.

El Paso Summer Music Festival -- Pianist Georgia Smits, a Las Cruces high-school student, will join pianists Jeremy Mims and Melissa Loehnig at this year's concert, which honors Bruce Nehring, the El Paso Pro-Musica and Bruce Nehring Consort founder who is recovering from a broken hip. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. June 8 at the El Paso Museum of Art. Tickets cost $15, $10 for military and seniors, $5 for students. 449-0619, epsmf.org.

Alfresco! Fridays -- Disco revivalists and funkateers Fungi Mungle, a guaranteed draw whenever they play, get down and get funky at 6 p.m. June 8 in the Arts Festival Plaza. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com.

Gym Class Heroes -- Travie McCoy and crew will be the first pop act to headline the free Let Freedom Sing concert series at Fort Bliss at 7 p.m. June 8. Usually, Texas country and folk acts play the series, which started last summer in the lawn area near Freedom Crossing mall. It's open to the public; you need a driver's license and U.S. plates on your car to enter the post and must use the Robert E. Lee or Cassidy gates. freedomcrossingatfortbliss.com, 564-5311.

Sun City Pride Festival -- The annual gay pride event, which runs June 6-10, is bringing in Chris Willis, the gospel-trained singer on so many of dance maven David Guetta's hits, for its Streetfest on June 9 at Cleveland Square Park. Also performing: No Doubt tribute band No Duh, Cher impersonator Chad Michaels, and Britney Spears impersonator Derrick Berry. Tickets cost $40 for all five days, $100 VIP. epscp.org.

Dancing in the City -- One thing from Sunland Park that is harmonious: cumbia band La Magiztral Sonora, who headline at 8 p.m. June 9 in Arts Festival Plaza (dance lesson at 7). $6 for individuals, $10 for couples. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Fixed Idea -- The veteran El Paso ska band celebrates its 20th anniversary in August. In the meantime, it releases a live album at 8 p.m. June 9 at the Lowbrow Palace, 111 Robinson. Hot Rod Boogie and Steady Shakedown open. The $10 admission includes a copy of the CD (while supplies last). thelowbrowpalace.com.

"Jake Erlich: Long Shadows" -- At 8-feet-6, late El Pasoan Erlich once was known as the world's tallest man, a circus performer who traveled the country during the Great Depression. He was also an artist. Some of his colorful images of circus life go on display June 10-Sept. 30 at the El Paso Museum of Art. A reading and signing of the book "The Long Shadows" by his nephew, Andrew Erlich of Scottsdale, Ariz., is at 2 p.m. June 17. 532-1307, elpasoartmuseum.org.

Music Under the Stars -- Last year's booze ban by the National Park Service was a sobering experience for fans of the long-running free music series and ultimate BYOB affair. Attendance was watered down last summer at the Chamizal National Memorial. That could change as the series returns at 7:30 p.m. June 10 with Albuquerque's Ivon Ulibarri and Cafe Mocha. Beer and wine will be sold -- but you can't bring it in. There's free parking at Bowie High School, and free shuttles will run from 6:30 to 10 p.m. from the El Paso Zoo parking lot. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Melodies at the Park -- The El Paso Parks and Recreation Department's free concerts highlight different kinds of music at different parks all summer. It opens at 7 p.m. June 10 with pop group the Four Dreamers at Eastwood (Album) Park, 3001 Parkwood. 544-0753, ci-el-paso.tx.us/parks.

Break Yo'Self -- The fourth annual graffiti art and music event returns to the Silos Aerosol Art Space Gallery at 1943 Ruhlen, next to the Rescue Mission of El Paso. It's from 1 to 9 p.m. June 15 and includes live painting by various local and regional teams and music by Mexicans at Night and others inside the old grain silos. It's free, but donations of dry goods for the Rescue Mission and El Pasoans Fighting Hunger food bank will be accepted. 731-2791.

Alfresco! Fridays -- Fernie Lechuga and his enduring Latin jazz exponents Azucar return to headline the free series at 6 p.m. June 15 in the Arts Festival Plaza. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com.

George Lopez -- He doesn't have a sitcom anymore (though he's developing a new one), he doesn't have a talk show anymore (he's hosting a summer dating show for Fox), but the comedian does have a new stand-up act, which he brings to the Abraham Chavez Theatre at 8 p.m. June 15. A second show originally planned for June 16 is being rescheduled. Tickets cost $46 and $58, with VIP packages at $246.50. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com, ticketmaster.com.

"Viva! El Paso" -- The musical revue that celebrates 400 years of El Paso history through song, dance and narration returns for the 35th year starting June 15 in McKelligon Canyon Amphitheater. Jaime Barba returns as director. The season is two weeks shorter this year, with performances at 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Aug. 12. Four Sunday shows have been added at 7:30 p.m. July 8, July 29 (performed in Spanish), Aug. 5 and Aug. 12. Tickets cost $15 opening weekend; $10 on Sundays. For all other shows, they're $14 and $20; $12 and $18 for seniors and military; $10 and $16 for kids 2-12. 433-3684, viva-ep.org.

Caifanes -- The '80s Mexican rockers regrouped last year after 16 years apart, and the reaction was so strong the band has continued playing shows in 2012. They give a freebie June 15 at the new Socorro Entertainment Center. 860-7777, speakingrockentertainment.com.

Dancing in the City -- Learn to tango like they do on "Dancing with the Stars" when Albuquerque's QTango performs at 8 p.m. June 16 in the Arts Festival Plaza, with a dance lesson at 7. $6 for individuals, $10 for couples. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

"Inquisitive Eyes: El Paso Art 1960-2012" -- The sequel to 2010's massive "Into the Desert Light: Early El Paso Art 1850-1960," which featured works by Tom Lea and Jose Cisneros, features works by El Paso artists who've emerged since then, including Russian expatriates Aleksander and Lyuba Titovets and longtime El Paso painter and gallery owner Hal Marcus. The show runs June 17-Aug. 26 at the El Paso Museum of Art. 532-1707, elpasoartmuseum.org.

Roberto Carlos -- He was known as the King of Latin Music in his '60s heyday. Now 61, the Brazilian smoothie brings a summer tour through the El Paso County Coliseum at 7 p.m. June 17. Ticket prices range from $37 to $97. 533-9899, ticketmaster.com.

Melodies at the Park -- Get ready for the blues -- as in El Paso's Magnum Blues -- in the second installment of the El Paso Parks and Recreation Department's free concert series at 7 p.m. June 17 in the Lower Valley's Shawver Park, 8100 Independence. 544-0753, ci-el-paso.tx.us/parks.

Music Under the Stars -- Veteran Tejano singer and local favorite Sunny Ozuna headlines the second installment of the free concert series at 7:30 p.m. June 17 on the grounds of the Chamizal National Memorial. Remember, you can't take alcohol into the park, but it's for sale there this year. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Alison Krauss and Union Station -- The honey-voiced bluegrass singer, touring behind sterling new album "Paper Airplane," performs at 8 p.m. June 19 at the Inn of the Mountain Gods near Ruidoso. Tickets range from $50 to $125. 800-545-9011, innofthemountaingods.com.

Alfresco! Fridays -- Expect some old-style rock 'n' roll, complete with songs by El Paso native son Bobby Fuller, when local legend Rod Crosby and his band the Intruders play the free series at 6 p.m. June 22 in the Arts Festival Plaza. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com.

Dave Koz -- Needless to say, with nine sellouts in 10 shows over a 12-year period, the pop saxophonist is popular with local audiences. And he never does the same show twice. He returns to the Plaza Theatre at 8 p.m. June 22, his first tour with gospel singer BeBe Winans. Tickets range from $35 to $90. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com, ticketmaster.com.

Tia McGraff -- The folk-pop singer from Canada returns, moving from tiny La Tierra Cafe, where she last appeared, to the historic Scottish Rite Temple Theater, which has hosted recent shows by Leo Kottke and our own Tom Russell. The Applejack Band opens at 7 p.m. June 23. Tickets: $15, $10 students. 533-4409, elpasoscottishrite.org.

Dancing in the City -- Get ready to shake your booty when Los Angeles' Brasilidade Samba Show hits town for the third installment of the Museums and Cultural Affairs Department's series at 8 p.m. June 23, with a dance lesson at 7. $6 per person, $10 per couple. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Melodies at the Park -- Local jazz and R&B piano icon Billy Townes plays the free concert series at 7 p.m. June 24 at Westside Community Park, 7400 High Ridge. ci-el-paso.tx.us/parks, 544-0753.

Music Under the Stars -- Austin's Grupo Fantasma, which fuses Latin and jazz, headlines the free series at 7:30 p.m. June 24 on the grounds of the Chamizal National Memorial. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Bri Bagwell -- The Las Cruces native, a rising star in the Texas country scene, headlines the free concert series on the patio of the State Line restaurant in Sunland Park at 8 p.m. June 27. Patrons are encouraged to bring canned food for El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, the former West Texas Food Bank. 581-3371.

Downtown Street Fest -- Contemporary rockers Theory of a Deadman, Saliva and Filter headline June 29, and classic bands Kansas and Blue Oyster Cult take the stage June 30, during this annual Downtown July 4th blowout. Fireworks are planned for about 10 each night. Local bands perform on four other stages, with the main stage on Santa Fe Street in front of the convention center. klaq.com.

Vans Warped Tour -- More than 70 bands -- including Taking Back Sunday, All Time Low, New Found Glory, the Constellations and iwrestledabearonce -- play on seven stages over eight hours beginning at 11 a.m. June 29 at the NMSU Practice Field in Las Cruces. It's the 10th straight stop there for the 18-year-old "punk rock summer camp," a mobile festival that highlights various types of punk, pop and hip-hop. Tickets cost $34. 575-646-1420, panam.nmsu.edu, ticketmaster.com.

Travis Tritt, Charlie Daniels Band -- Tritt, one of country's biggest stars in the '90s, and fiddler Daniels, who's been going at it for more than 40 years, team up for a free show June 29 at the Socorro Entertainment Center. speakingrockentertainment.com, 860-7777.

"Alice in Wonderland" -- El Paso Playhouse opens its 49th season with this production of the children's classic, directed by Playhouse newcomer Stephanie Ortega, June 29-July 21. 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.

Summerland Tour -- Hot-weather memories (and songs) from the '90s are bound to be conjured up when Everclear, Sugar Ray, the Gin Blossoms, Lit and Marcy Playground team up July 4 at the Socorro Entertainment Center. speakingrockentertainment.com, 860-7777.

"Pop Goes the Fort" -- Conductor Andy Moran and the El Paso Symphony Orchestra whip up the patriotic music, and post-show fireworks, at this second annual event at Biggs Park on East Fort Bliss. The USO Liberty Bells are also featured in the free concert at 7:30 p.m. July 4. 532-3776, epso.org.

Music Under the Stars -- The free Sunday music series moves to July 4 for this annual concert of patriotic music and fireworks featuring the El Paso Wind Symphony, led by Ron Hufstader, at 7:30 p.m. at the Chamizal National Memorial. elpasoartsandculture.org, 541-4481.

Dream Theater -- The veteran progressive rockers, touring new album "A Dramatic Turn of Events," play the Abraham Chavez Theatre at 7:30 p.m. July 5. They've got a dream support act, the Crimson ProjeKct, featuring Adrian Belew and Tony Levin playing the music of King Crimson. Tickets cost $31.50 and $52.50, with VIP packages going for $150 and $275. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com, ticketmaster.com.

Alfresco! Fridays -- Smooth jazz and R&B (think Sade, etc.) are the order of the night as Sha'vonne and the Vibe headline the free series at 6 p.m. July 6 in Downtown's Arts Festival Plaza. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com.

"Metropolis" -- Many people know of the landmark futuristic sci-fi silent film by Fritz Lang, but few know there's a musical version. Director Greg Taylor and the folks at the UTEP Dinner Theatre, who staged it once before, take it on again July 6-22. 747-6060, academics.utep.edu/udt.

Dancing in the City -- The Boogies, a disco band from Austin, headline the series at 8 p.m. July 7, with a dance lesson (platforms not required) at 7. $6 per person, $10 per couple. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Steve Aoki -- The veteran West Coast DJ, producer, artist and Dim Mak label founder loves playing here, and will show the love with his second El Paso stop in six months at 9 p.m. July 7 at Buchanan's Event Center. Tickets cost $26. facebook.com/smgeventsofficial.

Melodies at the Park -- Big band and more are on tap as the Army's 1st Armored Division Show Band plays a freebie at 7 p.m. July 8 at, appropriately, Veterans Park, 5301 Salem. 544-0753, ci-el-paso.tx.us/parks.

Music Under the Stars -- Here's a new one: a reggae Beatles tribute band. Yellow Dubmarine headlines the free concert series at the Chamizal National Memorial at 7:30 p.m. July 8. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

"Save the World" -- The photo exhibit is just what you'd think it is, and is up July 11-29 at the El Paso Artisan Gallery inside Lynx Exhibits, 300 W. San Antonio. It's in conjunction with Lynx's summer show, "Adventure Quest: Save the Planet!," running June 16-Sept. 9. 533-4330, lynxexhibits.com.

Texas Tattoo Showdown -- The third annual edition of this touring inkers festival, which returns July 13-15 to the El Paso County Coliseum, is Texas-sized to be sure, with more than 200 artists and vendors expected. But it's the music that could make a big impression this year, including sets by Hawthorne Heights, Mushroomhead and El Paso's The Royalty. Tickets cost $20 per day, $35 for a festival pass. 533-9899, ticketmaster.com.

"Designing Woman"/"All That Sparkles: Jewelry from the Paramount Archive" -- Plaza Classic Film Festival Artistic Director Charles Horak curated these two exhibits, which open July 14 at the El Paso Museum of Art. "Designing Woman" (up through Sept. 9) features drawings and costumes by Oscar-winning legend Edith Head. "All That Sparkles" (up through Sept. 30) features jewelry made for movies such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's," which is in this year's film festival. 532-1707, elpasoartmuseum.org, plazaclassic.com.

Dancing in the City -- The Joe Barron Band, an up-and-coming El Paso group, headlines at 8 p.m. July 14 in the Arts Festival Plaza, with a country dancing lesson at 7. $6 per person, $10 per couple. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Music Under the Stars -- Nashville's the Grascals, a highly regarded "newgrass" group, performs its contemporary take on bluegrass and country in a free concert at 7:30 p.m. July 15 at the Chamizal National Memorial. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Sublime with Rome, Cypress Hill -- Former Sublime members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh teamed up with singer-guitarist Rome Ramirez to form the trio, who cut last year's debut, "Yours Truly," at Sonic Ranch in Tornillo. They share the bill with with veteran California rappers Cypress Hill ("Insane in the Brain") for a free show July 18 at the Socorro Entertainment Center. Pepper opens. 860-7777, speakingrockentertainment.com.

Dancing in the City -- Rockabilly music, as played by El Paso quartet Hillside Gamblers, is the theme of the next installment of the dance music series at 8 p.m. July 21 in the Arts Festival Plaza, with a swing dance lesson at 7. $6 per person, $10 per couple. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Alfresco! Fridays -- Local salsa band Sobresis del Sabor, several of whose members originally are from Cuba, should get things percolating at 6 p.m. July 27 in the Arts Festival Plaza. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com.

Dancing in the City -- The eighth and final concert in the series features Chicago swing band Morry Sochat and the Special 20s at 8 p.m. July 21 in the Arts Festival Plaza (dance lesson at 7). $6 per person, $10 per couple. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Music Under the Stars -- Things could get sweaty when El Paso tropical cumbia band Tropicalisimo Apache headlines the 7:30 p.m. July 29 show of the free concert series at the Chamizal National Memorial. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

August

Plaza Classic Film Festival -- The fifth annual edition could top last year's turnout of 37,000 people with more than 80 films, free concerts, film talks, art exhibits and celebrity guests (as yet unannounced) on the big, big screen at the Plaza Theater and other locations Aug. 2-12. Confirmed titles include "The Birds," "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," "Breakfast at Tiffany's," "An American in Paris," "The Great Escape" and the fourth annual outdoor showing of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Tickets should go on sale in July. 533-4020, plazaclassic.com.

Alfresco! Fridays -- Windy City, a Chicago tribute band, headlines the next free concert in the series at 6 p.m. Aug. 3 in the Arts Festival Plaza. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream" -- After closing its 48th season with a comic run-through of all 37 of Shakespeare's plays in May, director Melissa Spalding and El Paso Playhouse tackle this comedy/fantasy in full Aug. 3-25. 532-1317, elpasoplayhouse.com.

Music Under the Stars -- El Paso's Big Easy band pays tribute to the classic music of Motown with a free concert at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 at the Chamizal National Memorial. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Melodies at the Park -- The parks department's free summer concert series continues with the classic sounds of Midnight Mist at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 in San Jacinto Plaza, 111 Mills. 544-0753, ci-el-paso.tx.us/parks.

"Eye of the Beholder" -- Everything in this exhibit will be created out of recycled materials and displayed Aug. 8-Sept. 9 at the El Paso Artisan Gallery, inside Lynx Exhibits at 300 W. San Antonio. It's in conjunction with Lynx's "Adventure Quest: Save the Planet!" show that opens in June. 533-4330, lynxexhibits.com.

Music Under the Stars -- After a one-year absence, Ranchera Night is back! The free Music Under the Stars series closes out with Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at the Chamizal National Memorial. 541-4481, elpasoartsandculture.org.

Ronnie Dunn -- Formerly half of Brooks & Dunn, one of the most successful duos in modern country music, Dunn has struck out on his own. He gives an 8 p.m. Aug. 15 show at the Inn of the Mountain Gods in Mescalero. Tickets: $30-$150. 800-545-9011, innofthemountaingods.com, ticketmaster.com.

"Exhibitions in Dis/Connection" -- Austin Savage and the troops at experimental theater group Border Theatre have broadened their scope to include all kinds of art forms for this third annual show Aug. 17-19 and 24-26 at the Glasbox, 1500 Texas. 412-5283, bordertheatre.org.

Melodies at the Park -- Just like Music Under the Stars, the parks department's free outdoor series concludes with a mariachi band, Zulema Villela and Mariachi Cuauhtemoc, at 7 p.m. Aug. 19 at Marty Robbins Park, 11600 Vista Del Sol. 544-0753, ci-el-paso.tx.us/parks.

Alfresco! Fridays -- El Paso Opera rounds up local talent to sing popular arias in what has to be one of the most unusual Alfresco! Fridays in the series' 10-year history. The concert is at 6 p.m. Aug. 24 in the Arts Festival Plaza. 231-1100, visitelpaso.com.

Classical Mystery Tour -- The Beatles tribute band teams up with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra and guest conductor Lonnie Klein of the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra for this symphonic romp through Fab Four classics at 8 p.m. Aug. 25 (pushed back from the originally announced Aug. 24) at the Plaza Theatre. Tickets: $30-$75. 532-3776, epso.org.

Fiesta de las Flores -- The annual celebration of Mexican food, music, arts and culture, which includes military salutes and name headliners, returns at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 31 and 6 p.m. Sept. 1-2 outdoors at the El Paso County Coliseum. No headliners or ticket information have been announced yet. 533-3730, fiestasdelasflores.org.

September

Sun City Music Festival -- SMG Events' second annual electronic dance music festival moves returns Sept. 1-2 with one of the genre's biggest acts, French DJ David Guetta, and a new home, Ascarate Park (it drew about 15,000 last Labor Day Weekend at Cohen Stadium). Guetta performs on Sept. 1, with English duo Above & Beyond on Sept. 2. Tickets cost $43 each day, $74 for a two-day pass and $105 for a VIP pass. facebook.com/suncitymusicfestival.com.

Doug Pullen may be reached at dpullen@elpasotimes.com; 546-6397. Read Pullen My Blog at elpasotimes.com/blogs. Follow him on Twitter at @dougpullen.